As I watched a streaming video of 56-year-old David Gerbi hack away at a wall of brick and mortar surrounding his childhood synagogue in Tripoli, Libya, I couldn’t help but facepalm. To me, his tears and apoplectic breakdown seemed to be a cleverly placed advertisement for maintaining a stalemate in Israeli-Arab diplomacy. Could the timing possibly have any relation to the recent Palestinian bid for statehood? Nah.
Earlier this month, Gerbi, a Libyan Jew in exile following the 1967 Arab-Israeli war (the one that made it even less okay to openly practice Judaism in the Middle East), attempted to return to and restore his, now-run-down former place of prayer. The post-Gaddafi Libyan response: a police summons and a flock of Libyan protestors demanding Gerbi’s removal from the country. Currently (as far as I can tell from the strange Skype conversations he posts on YouTube), the man is confined to his upscale hotel due to the potentially violent crowd that awaits him outside with all plans of restoration on hold.
But don’t let your tears of sympathy spill out yet; Gerbi’s premature timing appears to be taking advantage of the still-settling Arab world’s volatility. Did anyone really expect Middle Eastern states (aside from Israel) to suddenly develop Western ideals as soon as the Arab peoples ditched their iron-fisted, pro-Western leaders? When I was in Egypt last year, there was a clear consensus amongst Cairene taxi drivers that the person riding shotgun was either Christian or Muslim (don’t worry, I didn’t tell them I’m Jewish), and Obama was the most amazing thing to ever happen to America. Yeah, of course it feels a little icky when you realize that the Arab Spring you supported so strongly a half a year ago has some sketchy undertones, but this is a contradiction of the Middle East that still has to be resolved.
Gerbi acknowledges the controversial timing of his return to Tripoli, but suggests another purpose. “I want to contribute to, not obstruct, the building of a new democratic and pluralistic Libya,” he said. A noble goal, but will one Jew assisting in the construction of a new Libya end anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism? I really don’t think it’s possible that he even sees himself as a Libyan anymore. He’s been an Italian psychoanalyst for the last 40 years. He might as well be an Israeli ambassador to Libya, and at this point, I don’t think listening to the Israeli or Libyan ambassador is at all a priority on Libyans’ to-do list.
But of course, this is one of the more ugly realities of the new Middle East and something that needs to be dealt with in the coming years. I suggest to Gerbi — and to the rest of you who consider now a good time to “join in and help” by setting the pressure cooker back on high — another method. If you want to be a Libyan and bring freedom of religion to Libya, why not show that you can integrate yourself into the society and actually be a citizen that Libyans can relate to? Why do you have to come in as an outsider and expect everyone to think of you as one of them? I told taxi drivers that I was Christian in Egypt — yes, that was a little too far in terms of assimilation — but if you are already prepared to endure death threats (you’ve already had many) just be a Jewish Libyan, don’t be a Zionist living Libya right now; that’s just bad sense.
Over time other Libyan Jews may join you, and as you gradually practice your religion more publicly, Libyans will be more likely to accept Judaism in the country. Trying to make a point about the instability and lack of political correctness just sets you against your people and your people against you. You aren’t Theodor Herzl, trying to convince Britain to support a Jewish state in an area of supposedly uncivilized Palestinians. Don’t talk to the world; talk to the Libyans.
Zachary Babtkis is a Middle East studies and film and media studies major.
Our Jewish roots are in so deep belonging in Libya, it might take one a lifelong study to understand. We were in Libya since 300 BCE.
Much long before the Arab/Muslims.
I will always be a Libyan, it was were I was born and were I learned to be who I am.
A strong willed one always hoping for Peace, and still believing one day I would have the financial wealth that was stolen from us, that rendered me a Jewish Refugee from Arab Lands.
as a libyan jew i think It was a perfect way for gerbi to see and show nato and europ if the new libya is looking for democraty
we are talking about it ther for some one is reading this
As a Libyan [ not a Jew ] I believe that Jews didn’t fight with us against Gaddaffi to leberate Libya from the tyrant . Believe me , don’t ever think about coming to Libya to live because people here are still remebering what you have done back in 1967 . You could be killed [ Not treating ] . It’s the truth . I believe that jewish people want to come back to Libya to ruin it because ” Allah told us how jewish people think ” . You have nothing to hide . It will be a roaring… Read more »
The reason Libyan Jews didn’t fight with you against Gaddaffi is that you kicked all of them out and stole all of their property a long time ago. Anti-semitism always has and always will mean racism against Jews. It was European, anti-Jewish racists who coined the term ‘anti-semite’ to describe themselves. The fact that you, as an Arab, are technically a ‘semite’ does not in any way prevent you from being anti-Semitic, that is, racist against Jewish people. Your references to The Protocols of The Elders of Zion make it very clear that you are very racist against Jewish people.… Read more »
People who have suffered . Maybe you mean the holocaust by saying that . We see Israel makes a holocaust everyday in Palestine and no one in the world takes an action against that . Do you think that your big holocaust fraud that you use every time you need a thing from Mama America to do against Islam or Muslims . Maybe you have forgotten what Jews did to the people of ” Gaza ” and ” Deer Yasin ” and ” Sabra and Shatella ” and a lot that I can’t count of your crimes against us .… Read more »
Now Holocaust denial!!?!!? Bravo sir, Hitler would have been so proud of you. What is really tragic about people like you is that you may have some legitimate political complaints but no one cares because of what a disgusting, ignorant racist you are. Your, “big holocaust fraud” and “manipulative jewish people” garbage is recycled European racism. Your worldview is not so different from those who believe all Muslims are terrorists and that their goal is to take over the world through deception and violence. Don’t you find it ironic that you will feed your children a steady diet of European… Read more »
Peace !! ? According to you and your people perspective of view peace means that we give up ourrrrrrr Land ” Palestine ” to you . Never dream of that , you started the war and we will finish it by getting your asses out of our Land . You know that the best eras for Jews are when they lived in peace with Arabs . You can study about Andalusia and about how Islam accepted all divine religions ” Christianity and Judaism ” . The problem is that you can’t accept living with others who belong to other religions… Read more »
All Lands Belong to Islam (Just ask Fathi): Could someone explain this conundrum for me? Why is it Muslims are free to violently conquer lands anywhere and everywhere without a word of protest from American Muslims, or any Muslims for that matter, but if Jews have a legally established homeland Muslims will never stop protesting against it? Why is this do you suppose? What explanation can be given other than as the Qur’an states repeatedly that Islam’s goal is to establish a worldwide caliphate in which all non-Muslims are subjugated. For instance, Mohammed was born around 571 AD thousands and… Read more »
LOL so you openly support ethnically cleansing “your land” of Jews yet you claim the problem is that JEWS can’t accept living with others? Brilliant logic! By the way, isn’t it interesting that when Jerusalem was ruled by Jordan from 1948-1967, NO JEWS were allowed to pray at the Western Wall, the holiest Jewish site in the world? I can only imagine how you might react if a non-Muslim state conquered Mecca and prevented all Muslims from praying there. The fact is that most Palestinians gave up their land when they started a war with the Jews and lost. Mahmoud… Read more »
LOL so you openly support ethnically cleansing “your land” of Jews yet you claim the problem is that JEWS can’t accept living with others? Brilliant logic! By the way, isn’t it interesting that when Jerusalem was ruled by Jordan from 1948-1967, NO JEWS were allowed to pray at the Western Wall, the holiest Jewish site in the world? I can only imagine how you might react if a non-Muslim state conquered Mecca and prevented all Muslims from praying there. The fact is that most Palestinians gave up their land when they started a war with the Jews and lost. Mahmoud… Read more »
Unfortunately wherever Islam invades, Jews and all other people eventually disappear. This is true of the Hindu people who lived in Pakistan for 4,000 years before Islam invaded there. This is true of the Buddhist people who lived 4,000 years in Afghanistan before Islam invaded there. This is true of the Berbers (and Jews) of Libya when Islam invaded there. This is true of the Assyrians, Zoroastrians, Copts and Chaldeans, Armenians and other Christian sects when Islam invaded their homelands. This is what happens when a supremacist, fascistic group invades another people. Always has been so and always will be… Read more »
You are dreaming my friend .
You really make it appear really easy along with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something that I think I would by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am taking a look ahead for your next publish, I’ll attempt to get the hang of it!